Confederate Sympathizer Hanged for Treason

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly blog link-up. The Challenge – write a one hundred word (plus or minus) story with a beginning, middle, and end inspired by the picture. The Key – make every word count. Up to the challenge? Join in!

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Owl Creek, Tennessee — Confederate sympathizer Peyton Farquhar was hanged for treason yesterday in a public ceremony at the Owl Creek trestle for the planned sabotage of the Union route to victory. Farquhar admitted his scheme to a Union scout disguised in a grey uniform to capture Confederate soldiers in the area. The execution was swift and public to discourage Rebels from continued interference of railways critical to Union advancements. Over forty witnesses gathered at the scene, and several reported Farquhar stood tall as Union soldiers slipped the noose over his head. His body was left hanging as the crowd dispersed.

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100 words. Fiction. The picture reminded me of Ambrose Bierce’s “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” After several attempts at another angle of Bierce’s story of a hanging, I went with a journalistic style. Feedback is always appreciated. Comments of any kind really — so long as they are related to the post. What story comes to mind when you see that picture? Join in!

Today marks one year since I began writing these 100-word stories. Sturdy was published on March 13, 2014, and I had no idea what I was doing. Still don’t, but I think I’ve really grown as a writer since I started forcing myself into such a tightly packed little package. In the last year, I have managed to put together 43 of these stories. I’m excited to see what the next year holds for pictures, stories, and the practice of writing.

*Image © Copyright: Sandra Crook
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